As luck would have it, the 17.09 introduced last month is not the final word on the 17 series from Ming. For the first time in its history, Ming is collaborating with another brand to create a special variant of an existing model; the Ming X Massena LAB 17.09 Limited Edition. Using the existing 17.09 case and movement, this LE features an organic honeycomb dial design rendered in contrasting black or ?honey? yellow. Just 200 examples total are planned for production, so gird up those loins for what will surely be another frantic release.

Ming has proven quite adept at creating interesting dial textures and patterns, as we?ve seen time and again within the 17 series family. This collaboration with Massena LAB expands on that trend with a 3 dimensional hexagonal ?honeycomb? pattern set within the center of the dial. This particular motif is a nod to older Rolex references that received so-called honeycomb dials, such as the 6541 Milgauss, the 6202, the 6090, and others. The effect is far more pronounced here, with a literal honeycomb pattern creating a rather dramatic surface area for the dial. 
The inner dial is constrained by a circular brushed ring that is bereft of the typical hour markers or numerals you?d expect to find. Rather, the Arabic numerals are laser etched into the underside of the crystal, and filled with lume. The Ming and Massena LAB logos are placed at 3 and 9 o?clock respectively in the same fashion. This execution allows the dial to stand alon...